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England fans are calling for the Lionesses to be given honours and a homecoming parade following their efforts at the World Cup.

Sarina Wiegman‘s side suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat in the final against Spain on Sunday.

It was Spain’s first major tournament win, and England’s first defeat under their Dutch coach in two years.

‘Pride’ over Lionesses – relive World Cup final as it happened

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 Spain players celebrate with the trophy after winning the World Cup REUTERS/Carl Recine
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Spain lifted the trophy after a 1-0 win

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 England players pose with their runners up medals after the match REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
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England’s stars picked up runners-up medals after the final

Had the Lionesses won, they would have been the first England football team to lift a World Cup since 1966.

Despite falling short, many supporters are hoping they get a hero’s welcome when they fly back from Sydney.

“There should still be a homecoming parade or celebration for the Lionesses,” one posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“They need to know the effect and pride they have inspired throughout the tournament.”

Another said: “Gutted but so proud. I hope there is a homecoming parade for when they’re back, they deserve it.”

“Still want the parade,” said another post.

“I still want Trafalgar Square. I still want the laps of honour at their home grounds.”

Some fans are hoping for a parade through London and a visit to Downing Street or Buckingham Palace.

The Lionesses enjoyed raucous celebrations with tens of thousands of people in the capital after their last major tournament appearance, though that had seen them lift the European Championship trophy.

But they did not enjoy a Downing Street reception, prompting criticism of then prime minister Boris Johnson.

There was one planned for the men’s team after their Euros final defeat to Italy in 2021, but it was dropped amid a racism row that saw some players criticise ministers for their stance on taking the knee.

Gareth Southgate’s side did not enjoy a parade, either, despite some fans wishing to show their appreciation.

Previous men’s teams had been recognised for their near-miss campaigns, notably with a parade in Luton after the 1990 World Cup semi-finals.

Analysis: Spain turn disharmony into delirium to beat England

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Final - Spain v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 20, 2023 England's Chloe Kelly in action with Spain's Olga Carmona REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
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England’s Chloe Kelly in action with Spain’s Olga Carmona

England's Lucy Bronze, left, fights for the ball against Spain's Mariona Caldentey during the Women's World Cup soccer final between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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England’s Lucy Bronze fights for the ball against Spain’s Mariona Caldentey

PM told to recognise Lionesses with honours

Rishi Sunak has repeatedly voiced his admiration for the Lionesses this summer, and hosted some stars at Downing Street earlier this year.

“We are all incredibly proud of you,” he posted on X after the final.

But he has batted away questions about how their World Cup efforts could be recognised when they return home, ruling out a bank holiday even if they had won the final.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer had called for the day off in the event of victory, and was quick to call for honours following the match on Sunday.

“They’ve inspired a generation of women and girls to play football, take up sport, and to remove any doubt in their minds that they too can go all the way in their chosen field,” he said.

“There’s no doubt they should be recognised by the honours system.”

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey echoed the call, saying “everyone on the team” deserved an honour.

England fans react during a screening of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 final between England and Spain at BOXPARK Wembley, London after lost by 1-0. Picture date: Sunday August 20, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story SPORT Lionesses. Photo credit should read: Lucy North/PA Wire
Devastated Lionesses fan
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England fans watching at home were left devastated

Keeper Earps the pick of the bunch

Four Lionesses received honours earlier this year to mark their Euros success, with captain Leah Williamson – who missed the World Cup through injury – getting an OBE.

Beth Mead, Lucy Bronze and Ellen White were made MBEs, while Wiegman received an honorary CBE.

Fans and pundits alike will likely feel few deserve recognition more this time than goalkeeper Mary Earps, whose sublime performances saw her pick up the World Cup’s golden glove award.

The Manchester United star kept the Lionesses in the game against Spain, saving a second-half penalty from striker Jennifer Hermoso to stop them going 2-0 behind.

She had no chance with the only goal, a precise 29th minute strike into the bottom corner by Olga Carmona.

England's goalkeeper Mary Earps blocks a penalty shot from Spain's Jennifer Hermoso during the Women's World Cup soccer final between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps saved a penalty

Demand for replica shirts

Supporters will at the very least hope her heroics see England’s kit maker Nike put her replica shirt on sale, having refused before the tournament kicked off.

Nine-year-old Alice Grundy, a budding goalkeeper from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, describes Earps as her hero and wants the opportunity to wear her shirt.

Her mother, Kimberley Grundy, said Earps was “an inspiration” and Nike’s stance was “disgusting”.

Sophie Judge, who’s six and from Leeds, also wants an Earps shirt. Her mother, Leanne Judge, said she would “feel like she was playing the part of her hero”.

Sports giant Nike, which sells a men’s England goalkeeper shirt on its website for £80 as well as both men’s and women’s outfield players’ kits, has said it understands the demand and is “working towards solutions for future tournaments”.

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Wiegman: ‘We can be very proud of ourselves’

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‘Right now we’re just disappointed’

Once the Lionesses are back on home soil, they can look forward to some time off before their next game.

They will take on rivals Scotland in the Nations League at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on 22 September.

The domestic Women’s Super League does not return until 1 October.

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Penny Lancaster says she felt ‘belittled’ by ex-MasterChef host Gregg Wallace

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Penny Lancaster says she felt 'belittled' by ex-MasterChef host Gregg Wallace

Model Penny Lancaster has said she “felt ashamed and belittled” by how former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace treated her on the TV show.

Lancaster, who is also a TV personality, and is married to singer Rod Stewart, told Sky News’ The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee programme that she also felt let down by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK.

“I didn’t feel like I was supported in that moment, I felt ashamed and belittled by the way Greg Wallace had treated me but equally I felt disappointed that the production company hadn’t come to my rescue,” Lancaster, 54 and a MasterChef contestant in 2021, said.

“There is a long way to go, but just by people coming forward and being honest about their experiences I think will help in the long term.”

At the end of July, Wallace, 60, apologised after a report commissioned by Banijay UK, and carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against him were substantiated.

Sir Rod Stewart criticised Wallace on Instagram in November 2024 and claimed he “humiliated” his wife when she was on the show.

He wrote: “Good riddance Wallace… You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you?

More on Gregg Wallace

“You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully.”

Gregg Wallace. Pic: PA
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Gregg Wallace. Pic: PA

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Sky News has approached Wallace for comment.

He has previously apologised to people he has hurt, saying in July that he knows he has said things that have offended people. He has denied a specific allegation of unwanted touching.

The BBC referred Sky News to their statement from July, in which the corporation said: “Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour – both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner.

“We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year. We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace’s behaviour.”

Penny Lancaster speaks to Sarah-Jane Mee
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Penny Lancaster speaks to Sarah-Jane Mee

Banijay UK, the producers of MasterChef, told Sky News: “We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by any inappropriate behaviour by Gregg Wallace whilst working on our shows and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed.

“Ways of reporting concerns whilst working on our productions, protocols around behaviour and training for both cast and crew, have improved exponentially in recent years and we constantly review welfare procedures across our productions to ensure that they are as robust as they can be.”

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London mayor Sadiq Khan hits out at ‘misinformation’ as new figures show fall in crimes

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London mayor Sadiq Khan hits out at 'misinformation' as new figures show fall in crimes

Sadiq Khan has hit back at politicians “spreading misinformation” about safety in London as new data shows the number of violent crimes leading to injury has fallen in every borough over the past year.

Figures from the mayor’s office for policing and crime compare the 12 months ending in August 2025 with the previous 12 months – and show there were 8,749 fewer crimes which resulted in someone being hurt, a drop of nearly 12%.

The borough of Havering in east London recorded the largest drop (16.3%) followed by Enfield in north London (16.1%).

The smallest decreases were in Greenwich (4.3%) and Kensington and Chelsea (4.6%).

Sir Sadiq said: “We’ve seen a number of politicians here and across the globe talking down London and spreading misinformation about crime and safety in the capital.

“The evidence is clear, our approach to tackling crime and its complex causes works. It’s driving down violence right across the capital.”

His comments come after Donald Trump reignited his feud with Sir Sadiq earlier this month by accusing him of doing a “terrible job” and claiming “crime in London is through the roof”.

More on London

The US president also hit out at the mayor in a speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, where he also made the outlandish claim that London “wants Sharia law” – something there is no evidence for.

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Trump attacks UN and London mayor

Asked about the attacks, Sir Sadiq said: “I think President Trump has shown he is racist, he is sexist, he is misogynistic, and he is Islamophobic.”

He added that the public would be “wondering what it is about this Muslim mayor who leads a liberal, multicultural, progressive, successful city that means I appear to be living rent-free inside Donald Trump’s head”.

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According to the mayor’s office, overall homicides in London are at a 10-year low, and the city’s rate is lower than in Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Paris and all major US cities.

The rate of homicide was down by 17% in the 12-month period to June this year compared with the 12-month period to May 2016, it previously said.

Sir Sadiq speaks with a police officer during a walkabout in the West End earlier this year. File pic: PA
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Sir Sadiq speaks with a police officer during a walkabout in the West End earlier this year. File pic: PA

Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams said: “We’re targeting the most dangerous individuals, disrupting criminal networks, and investing in prevention to protect those most at risk.

“That’s why fewer people are being hurt, fewer lives are being lost, and London is becoming a safer city.”

The Conservatives rejected the suggestion that London is safer.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp claims 'London isn't safer'
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Shadow home secretary Chris Philp claims ‘London isn’t safer’

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “Under this Labour mayor, criminals know the odds are stacked in their favour.

“Only one in 20 robberies is solved, fewer offenders are being jailed, and more than a thousand police officers have been cut from the Metropolitan Police, with Sir Mark Rowley warning of further losses this year.

“Londoners don’t feel safer because London isn’t safer.”

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Murder investigation under way after north London stabbing

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Murder investigation under way after north London stabbing

A murder investigation is under way after a fatal stabbing in north London.

The Metropolitan Police said officers and the London Ambulance Service responded to reports of stabbing in Camden Gardens, NW1, after being called at 3.29pm on Saturday.

A 44-year-old man was treated at the scene for stab wounds before being taken to hospital, where he died.

Police are awaiting formal identification and a special post-mortem will take place, the force said.

Borough Commander Jason Sewart, who leads policing in Camden, said: “My team are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to this man’s tragic death in Camden Gardens.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and friends at this very difficult time. They continue to be supported by specialist officers.”

There will be increased patrols in the area as enquiries are made, he added. Anyone who many have information or CCTV footage is being asked to contact police.

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“This was an isolated incident and we do not believe there to be any threat to the wider public,” Cmdr Sewart said.

No arrests have been made.

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